I’m Brandi, a twenty-something working towards a passionate, happy, and balanced life. I’m married to my best friend and we are the proud parents of one big and lovable cat, Roxy and new Brittany puppy, Maggie.

I grew up in a healthy home with family dinners almost every night. For most of my life, I stayed at a healthy weight.

And then…college happened. I didn’t gain the freshman 15 – mine was more like the sophomore 30. I wasn’t taking care of myself, I wasn’t eating healthy foods, I had no clue how to cook good meals for myself, and I wasn’t active. I was just so unhappy with how I felt, how I looked, and how I was treating myself. It took a few months for me to really do anything about it, but in the summer of 2003, I joined Weight Watchers.

I did really well while I was home, but since I couldn’t afford the meetings while I was in school, I tried doing the program on my own. I lost some weight before Nick and I got married in 2004, but I rejoined WW (for the 3rd time) a few months after the wedding and finally reached my goal weight in November 2004. I made Lifetime with WW in December 2004 and have been maintaining my weight (give or take a few pounds) since.

The past few years, however, have been life-changing.

I had been maintaining my weight loss, but I wasn’t really focused on eating the best things for me, staying active on a regular basis, or really taking care of myself. There have been a lot of health issues in our families over the past couple of years and after 2 heart attacks (and other health issues) in my family, I knew it was time to get serious. I finally realized that this wasn’t just about wearing a certain size. If I wanted to be healthy and stay healthy, I had to do something about it. No one was going to take care of me except for me.

I am finally just trying to live a balanced life – enjoying my food (all of it!) and doing things I enjoy.

Amazingly, my weight has stabilized now and it’s easier for me to maintain now than it was the first few years after hitting my goal weight. Once I got the “good food, bad food” thoughts out of my head, eating balanced just started to become natural and not something I had to struggle with on a daily basis.

I don’t always eat the healthiest things, but I do try to do my best. I give into cravings, just on a smaller scale that I have in the past.

Nothing is off limits or ever will be.

Because I love food. I love the emotions tied to it, the love that you feel when making a family dish, the traditions you remember while cooking with your family. Food is something that should be celebrated.

Even with all the challenges and craziness that has happened over the past few years, they have been good for me. I have learned so much about myself in regards to health, fitness, food and cooking, and I’m looking forward to the future – whatever that may be!

I hope that this blog will be a place to share ideas, tips, recipes, and anything else to help us all keep a balanced and healthy outlook while still enjoying everything life has to offer!

Brandi! I recieved your package in the mail yesterday for the secret V-Day swap; I absolutely was in love! What a cute theme you put together, and everything fits right in with my pink kitchen decor! Yay! All my college friends wanted to steal them from me =) And who can say no to yummy lipgloss?! Thanks sOoO much for taking the time to make my day! I will be blogging about it tmrw. Take care!
p.s. I never knew about your blog, but am so glad I found out this way! Can never have enough blogs to read!

Yay CaSaundra!!! I’m so glad you got it so quickly! I didn’t know you had a pink kitchen theme, but I’m glad everything goes well with it. That’s my favorite flavor lip gloss, so I thought I’d pass it on 🙂

Hi! Thanks for sharing your story. I can totally relate to you on the running thing. I started running for the first time ever a year and a half ago. I’ve lost a lot of weight, and I think it was smart to wait for the running until I had a bit less to carry around on my joints. I had no idea how liberating it would be! Good for you and thanks for sharing your story!

Just found your blog through Weight Watchers community – it’s so inspirational! I’m trying to begin a running program this summer while losing – my son is running crosscountry in the fall and could use a running buddy (and is still young enough at 12 to be okay with me!).
Love your food ideas with all the “real food” – hope to visit often. Thanks!!!

Great blog! Just found it (joined WW online) – love the menus and recipes – real food:)! You’re very inspiring as I am starting a running program this summer so my 12 y/o will have a “running buddy” for XC training.
Hope to visit often – thanks!!

Brandi, your story sounds so similar to my own. I’m so glad I found your blog, it’s nice to follow along with people who made changes to lose weight initially but continue with making healthy choices in many aspects of their life for overall health and wellness! 2008 was a life changing year for me too.

I just found your blog and I love your inspirational story! College seems to be a turning point for most, and since I just graduated and am living back home I find it a daily struggle now to maintain! I also loved how you are into running now and use that as motivator to stay heathy! Im putting you on the blogroll! GREAT STORY!

I found your blog through blog hopping and love it. I can releate to your story and will be excited to keep up to date on your posts. I just started a new blog and am surprised by how many people there are out there who are trying to accomplish similar goals! Thanks for your inspiration!
nataliehttp://www.nono2yoyo.wordpress.com